Retractor device for transforming a retrieval device from a deployed position to a delivery position

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods for transforming a covered retrieval device from a deployed position to a delivery position for re-use are disclose herein. A retractor device may include, for example, a tubular structure defining a channel and configured to slidably receive a retrieval device. A method for transforming a retrieval device may include, for example, (a) positioning a retrieval device in a deployed position within a channel of a retractor device, (b) securing a part of the cover against a surface of the retractor, and (c) while securing the cover, advancing the retrieval device distally through the tubular structure to expose a capture structure of the retrieval device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/626,265, filed Jun. 19, 2017, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates generally to devices and methods forremoving obstructions from body lumens. Some embodiments of the presenttechnology relate to removing clot material from blood vessels.

BACKGROUND

Many medical procedures use medical device(s) to remove an obstruction(such as clot material) from a body lumen, vessel, or other organ. Aninherent risk in such procedures is that mobilizing or otherwisedisturbing the obstruction can potentially create further harm if theobstruction or a fragment thereof dislodges from the retrieval device.If all or a portion of the obstruction breaks free from the device andflows downstream, it is highly likely that the free material will becometrapped in smaller and more tortuous anatomy. In many cases, thephysician will no longer be able to use the same retrieval device toagain remove the obstruction because the device may be too large and/orimmobile to move the device to the site of the new obstruction.

Even in successful procedures, a physician must be cautious to preventthe walls of the vessel or body lumen from imparting undesired forces toshear or dislodge the obstruction as it passes through the vasculatureduring removal. These forces have the potential of fragmenting theobstruction. In some cases, the obstruction can simply break free fromthe retrieval device and can lodge in a new area causing more concernthan the original blockage.

Procedures for treating ischemic stroke by restoring flow within thecerebral vasculature are subject to the above concerns. The brain relieson its arteries and veins to supply oxygenated blood from the heart andlungs and to remove carbon dioxide and cellular waste from brain tissue.Blockages that interfere with this blood supply eventually cause thebrain tissue to stop functioning. If the disruption in blood occurs fora sufficient amount of time, the continued lack of nutrients and oxygencauses irreversible cell death (infarction). Accordingly, it isdesirable to provide immediate medical treatment of an ischemic stroke.To access the cerebral vasculature, a physician typically advances acatheter from a remote part of the body (typically a leg) through theabdominal vasculature and into the cerebral region of the vasculature.Once within the cerebral vasculature, the physician deploys a device forretrieval of the obstruction causing the blockage. Concerns aboutdislodged obstructions or the migration of dislodged fragments increasesthe duration of the procedure at time when restoration of blood flow isparamount. Furthermore, a physician might be unaware of one or morefragments that dislodge from the initial obstruction and cause blockageof smaller more distal vessels.

Many physicians currently perform thrombectomies (i.e. clot removal)with stents to resolve ischemic stroke. Typically, the physician deploysa stent into the clot in an attempt to push the clot to the side of thevessel and re-establish blood flow. Tissue plasminogen activator (“tPA”)is often injected into the bloodstream through an intravenous line tobreak down a clot. However, it takes time for the tPA to reach the clotbecause the tPA must travel through the vasculature and only begins tobreak up the clot once it reaches the clot material. tPA is also oftenadministered to supplement the effectiveness of the stent. Yet, ifattempts at clot dissolution are ineffective or incomplete, thephysician can attempt to remove the stent while it is expanded againstor enmeshed within the clot. In doing so, the physician must effectivelydrag the clot through the vasculature, in a proximal direction, into aguide catheter located within vessels in the patient's neck (typicallythe carotid artery). While this procedure has been shown to be effectivein the clinic and is easy for the physician to perform, there remainsome distinct disadvantages to using this approach.

For example, one disadvantage is that the stent may not sufficientlyretain the clot as it pulls the clot to the catheter. In such a case,some or all of the clot might remain within the vasculature. Anotherrisk is that as the stent mobilizes the clot from the original blockagesite, the clot might not adhere to the stent as the stent is withdrawntoward the catheter. This is a particular risk when passing throughbifurcations and tortuous anatomy. Furthermore, blood flow can carry theclot (or fragments of the clot) into a branching vessel at abifurcation. If the clot is successfully brought to the end of the guidecatheter in the carotid artery, yet another risk is that the clot may be“stripped” or “sheared” from the stent as the stent enters the guidecatheter. Regardless, simply dragging an expanded stent (either fully orpartially expanded) can result in undesired trauma to the vessel. Inmost cases, since the stent is oversized compared to the vessel,dragging a fixed metallic (or other) structure can pull the arteriesand/or strip the cellular lining from the vessel, causing further traumasuch as a hemorrhagic stroke (leakage of blood from a cerebral vessel).Also, the stent can become lodged on plaque on the vessel wallsresulting in further vascular damage.

In view of the above, there remains a need for improved devices andmethods that can remove occlusions from body lumens and/or vessels.

SUMMARY

At least some of the embodiments disclosed herein involves devices,systems, and methods for retrieving clot material from a blood vessellumen. For example, some embodiments are directed to a retrieval device(such as a clot retrieval device) that includes an elongated shaftconfigured to be intravascularly positioned at or adjacent clot materialwithin a blood vessel lumen, and a retrieval assembly coupled to adistal region of the elongated shaft. The retrieval assembly may includea flexible cover and a capture structure. The retrieval assembly may bedeployed within the blood vessel lumen at or near the clot material suchthat the capture structure engages or otherwise becomes enmeshed with atleast a portion of the clot material, and at least a portion of thecover presses outward against the blood vessel wall proximal of thecapture structure. Pulling the elongated shaft proximally everts thecover over the capture structure such that the cover at least partiallyensheathes the capture structure and associated clot material. Theretrieval assembly can then be withdrawn to remove the retrieval deviceand associated clot material from the patient.

In at least some embodiments of the present technology, a retractordevice can be used to transform the retrieval device from a deployedposition to a delivery position for re-use. In the deployed position,the cover at least partially ensheathes the capture structure. In thedelivery position, the cover ensheathes less of the capture than in thedeployed position (e.g., ensheathes no portion of the capturestructure). In some embodiments, the retractor can have a tubularstructure configured to slidably receive the retrieval device. Thetubular structure can have a length no greater than twice the length ofthe capture structure.

The subject technology is illustrated, for example, according to variousaspects described below. Various examples of aspects of the subjecttechnology are described as numbered clauses (1, 2, 3, etc.) forconvenience. These are provided as examples and do not limit the subjecttechnology. It is noted that any of the dependent clauses may becombined in any combination, and placed into a respective independentclause, e.g., clause 1, clause 11, or clause 20. The other clauses canbe presented in a similar manner.

-   -   1. A kit for retrieving material (e.g. luminal obstructive        material such as clot) from a body of a subject, the kit        comprising:        -   a retrieval device including an elongated shaft and a            retrieval assembly coupled to a distal zone of the elongated            shaft, wherein—            -   the retrieval assembly includes a capture structure and                a cover,            -   the cover has a first portion coupled to the distal zone                of the elongated shaft and a free second portion, and            -   the cover has a first position in which the second                portion extends proximally from the first portion, a                second position in which the second portion extends                distally from the first portion, and the cover surrounds                at least a portion of the capture structure in the                second position; and        -   a retractor having a tubular structure that defines a            channel configured to slidably receive the retrieval device,            wherein the tubular structure has a length no greater than            twice the length of the capture structure measured along a            longitudinal axis, and wherein the retractor is configured            to extend distally beyond the capture structure to            facilitate moving the cover from the second position after            deployment to the first position for redeployment.    -   2. The kit of clause 1 wherein the retractor includes a        longitudinal slot extending the entire length of the tubular        structure, and wherein the slot has a width at least as great as        the outer diameter of the elongated shaft such that the        elongated shaft can pass laterally through the slot and into the        channel.    -   3. The kit of clause 1 wherein the channel further includes a        stop sized to allow the elongated shaft to pass through the stop        and to inhibit proximal movement of the retrieval assembly when        the elongated shaft is pulled proximally.    -   4. The kit of clause 1 wherein the retractor includes a        longitudinal slot extending the entire length of the tubular        structure and onto a proximal portion of the tubular structure,        wherein the slot has a width at least as great as the outer        diameter of the elongated shaft such that the elongated shaft        can pass laterally through the slot and into the channel, and        wherein the proximal portion of the tubular structure is        configured to inhibit proximal movement of the retrieval        assembly when the elongated shaft is pulled proximally.    -   5. The kit of clause 1 wherein at least one of the capture        structure and the cover is a mesh.    -   6. The kit of clause 1 wherein the capture structure is a stent        and the cover is a braid.    -   7. The kit of clause 1 wherein the length of the capture        structure is greater than the length of the tubular structure.    -   8. The kit of clause 1 wherein the device further includes a        handle configured to be gripped by a user when the cover is        moved from the second position to the first position for        redeployment.    -   9. The kit of clause 8 wherein the handle is coupled to the        tubular structure nearer to a proximal portion of the tubular        structure than a distal portion of the tubular structure.    -   10. The kit of clause 2 wherein the device further includes a        handle having a planar shape and coupled to the tubular        structure such that the handle is perpendicular relative to a        plane extending through the longitudinal slot.    -   11. A method comprising:        -   positioning at least a portion of a retrieval assembly of a            retrieval device within a channel defined by a retractor            such that least a distal terminus of a capture structure of            the retrieval assembly is within the channel, wherein the            retrieval assembly is coupled to an elongated shaft, and            wherein the retrieval assembly is in a deployed            configuration in which a cover of the retrieval assembly            extends distally relative to the capture structure and            surrounds at least a portion of the capture structure;        -   securing part of the cover against an outer surface of the            retractor; and        -   while securing the part of the cover, advancing the            retrieval assembly distally through the channel such that at            least the distal terminus of the capture structure extends            distally from the retractor and the cover.    -   12. The method of clause 11 wherein securing comprises securing        the part of the cover against an outer surface of the retractor.    -   13. The method of clause 11 wherein securing comprises securing        part of the cover against an outer surface of the retractor        while another part of the cover is located in the channel,        between an outer surface of the capture structure and an inner        wall of the channel.    -   14. The method of clause 11, further comprising:        -   removing the retrieval assembly from the retractor when the            retrieval assembly is in a delivery position in which the            cover extends proximally relative to the capture structure.    -   15. The method of clause 11, further comprising:        -   manipulating a distal portion of the cover onto the            retractor, wherein manipulating the cover includes everting            a portion of the cover.    -   16. The method of clause 11 wherein advancing the retrieval        assembly further includes exposing a distal portion of the        capture structure and advancing the retrieval assembly distally        by pulling distally on the exposed portion of the capture        structure.    -   17. The method of clause 11 wherein advancing the retrieval        assembly includes pushing the elongated shaft distally and/or        pushing the retrieval assembly distally.    -   18. The method of clause 11, further comprising:        -   before positioning the portion of the retrieval assembly,            positioning the elongated shaft within the channel of the            retractor.    -   19. The method of clause 18 wherein positioning the portion of        the retrieval assembly further includes pulling the elongated        shaft proximally such that the retrieval assembly slides through        the channel until the distal terminus of the capture structure        is within the channel.    -   20. A retractor for transforming a retrieval device, comprising:        -   a tubular structure that defines a channel and having a            distal portion, a proximal portion, and a length extending            between the distal portion and the proximal portion,            wherein—            -   the channel is configured to slidably receive the                retrieval device, the retrieval device including an                elongated shaft coupled to a retrieval assembly having a                capture structure and a cover,            -   a retention surface of the retractor outside of the                channel is configured to engage a portion of the cover                and be held by one hand of an operator while at least a                distal terminus of the capture structure is positioned                within the channel such that the capture structure can                be advanced through the channel while the cover remains                in a secured position relative to the retractor, and            -   a longitudinal slot extends the entire length of the                tubular structure and has a width at least as great as                the outer diameter of the elongated shaft such that the                elongated shaft can pass laterally through the slot and                into the channel; and        -   a handle attached to the tubular structure configured to be            held by another hand of the operator to hold the retractor            while transforming the retrieval device.    -   21. The retractor of clause 20 wherein the channel further        includes a stop sized to allow the elongated shaft to pass        through the stop and to inhibit proximal movement of the        retrieval assembly when the elongated shaft is pulled        proximally.    -   22. The retractor of clause 20 wherein the longitudinal slot        extends onto the proximal portion of the tubular structure and        wherein the proximal portion is configured to inhibit proximal        movement of the retrieval assembly when the elongated shaft is        pulled proximally.    -   23. The retractor of clause 20 wherein the longitudinal slot        extends through a sidewall of the tubular structure    -   24. The retractor of clause 20, further comprising a handle        projecting from the tubular structure.

Additional features and advantages of the subject technology will be setforth in the description below, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the subject technology.The advantages of the subject technology will be realized and attainedby the structure particularly pointed out in the written description andclaims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are explanatory and are intended toprovide examples and further explanation of the subject technology asclaimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present technology can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on illustratingclearly the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a distal portion of a clot retrieval deviceshown with a retrieval assembly in a first configuration in accordancewith the present technology.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the distal portion of the clot retrievaldevice of FIG. 1A, shown with the retrieval assembly shown in a second,everted configuration.

FIGS. 2A-2G illustrate a method of removing clot material from a bloodvessel lumen using the clot retrieval device shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a retractor configured in accordancewith the present technology.

FIG. 3B is an isometric view of the retractor shown in FIG. 3A inoperation with a retrieval device.

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of another embodiment of a retractorconfigured in accordance with the present technology.

FIG. 4B is an isometric view of the retractor shown in FIG. 4A inoperation with a retrieval device.

FIG. 4C is an enlarged side view of a proximal portion of the retractorin FIG. 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 5A-5G illustrate a method of using a retractor in accordance withthe present technology to facilitate the transformation of a retrievaldevice from a deployed configuration to a delivery configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology provides devices, systems, and methods forremoving clot material from a blood vessel lumen. Although many of theembodiments are described below with respect to devices, systems, andmethods for treating an ischemic stroke or cerebral embolism, otherapplications and other embodiments in addition to those described hereinare within the scope of the technology. For example, the retrievaldevices of the present technology may be used to remove emboli or othermaterial from body lumens other than blood vessels (e.g., the digestivetract, etc.) and/or may be used to remove emboli from blood vesselsoutside of the brain (e.g., pulmonary blood vessels, blood vesselswithin the legs, etc.). In addition, the retrieval devices of thepresent technology may be used to remove luminal obstructions other thanclot material (e.g., plaque, foreign bodies, resected tissue, etc.).

An overview of the retrieval devices of the present technology andassociated methods of use is described below with reference to FIGS.1A-2G. Particular embodiments of a retractor device according to thepresent technology and to be used with a retrieval device are describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 3A-5G.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side views of a distal portion of some embodimentsof a retrieval device 10 (“device 10”) outside of a blood vessel in anexpanded, relaxed (e.g., unconstrained) configuration in accordance withthe present technology. The retrieval device 10 is shown in first andsecond configurations in FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively. As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the retrieval device 10 includes an elongated shaft 12(“shaft 12”) and a retrieval assembly 14 coupled to a distal region ofthe elongated shaft 12 via a connection assembly 120. The retrievalassembly 14 is configured to be intravascularly positioned at oradjacent clot material (or other material to be retrieved such asplaques, foreign bodies, etc.) within a blood vessel lumen and includesa capture structure 100 and a flexible cover 200. In some embodiments,the capture structure 100 and the cover 200 are fixed to the elongatedshaft 12 at generally the same location, or the capture structure 100and cover 200 may be coupled to the shaft 12 at different locationsand/or may be slidable with respect to the elongated shaft 12.

The capture structure 100 has a low-profile configuration (not shown)when constrained within a delivery catheter (e.g., a microcatheter) andan expanded configuration for securing and/or engaging clot material orother obstructions within a blood vessel lumen (e.g., a cerebral bloodvessel lumen) and/or for restoring blood flow within the blood vessel.The capture structure 100 has a proximal portion 100 a coupled to theshaft 12 and a distal portion 100 b. The capture structure 100 furtherincludes an open cell framework or body 108 (FIG. 1A) and a couplingregion 102 (FIG. 1A) extending proximally from the body 108. In someembodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a distal portion100 b of the capture structure 100 can be generally tubular (e.g.,cylindrical), and the proximal portion 100 a of the capture structure100 tapers proximally to the coupling region 102. In some embodiments,the distal terminus of the distal portion 100 b coincides with a distalterminus 101 of the capture structure 100 and/or retrieval assembly 14.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in some embodiments the capturestructure 100 is a mesh structure formed of a superelastic material(e.g., Nitinol or other resilient or self-expanding material) configuredto self-expand when released from the delivery catheter. For example, insome embodiments the capture structure 100 may be a stent and/orstentriever, such as Medtronic's Solitaire™ Revascularization Device,Stryker Neurovascular's Trevo® ProVue™ Stentriever, or other suitabledevices. In other embodiments, the capture structure 100 may include aplurality of braided filaments. Examples of suitable capture structures100 include any of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,458, filedNov. 5, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 8,940,003, filed Nov. 22, 2010, U.S. Pat.No. 9,039,749, filed Oct. 1, 2010, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,066,757, filedDec. 28, 2010, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

The cover 200 includes a first end portion 200 a coupled to the shaft 12via the connection assembly 120, a free second end portion 200 b, and acover wall 200 c extending between the first end portion 200 a and thesecond end portion 200 b. As used herein to describe the second endportion 200 b of the cover 200, the term “free” refers to a portion ofthe cover 200 that is not fixed to the elongated shaft 12 and may moveradially and/or longitudinally with respect to the shaft 12. The cover200 is flexible such that it is movable between a first position (FIG.1A) in which the free second end portion 200 b is proximal of the firstend portion 200 a and a second position (FIG. 1B) in which the cover 200is inverted over the capture structure 100 such that a distal terminus201 (FIG. 1B) of the cover 200 is at or distal to the distal terminus101 of the capture structure 100 and/or to the first end portion 200 a.As shown in FIG. 1A, when the cover 200 is in the first position in anexpanded, relaxed state, some embodiments of the cover 200 may have aleading edge 204 that overlaps the coupling region 102 of the capturestructure 100 but does not extend beyond the coupling region 102 tooverlap the body 108 of the capture structure 100. In some embodiments,the leading edge 204 of the cover 200 may also overlap all or a portionof the length of the body 108 when the cover 200 is in the firstposition. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the cover 200 is in the secondposition, the free second end portion 200 b is distal of the first endportion 200 a and distal of the distal terminus 101 of the capturestructure 100. As such, when in the second position, the cover wall 200c surrounds the capture structure 100.

The cover 200 can comprise a mesh and/or braid of a plurality of wires(e.g., filaments, threads, sutures, fibers or the like) that have beeninterwoven to form a structure having openings (e.g., a porous fabric).The mesh and/or braid can be composed of metals, polymers, composites,and/or biologic materials. Polymer materials can include Dacron,polyester, polypropylene, nylon, Teflon, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyactic acid (PLA)silicone, polyurethane, polyethylene, polycarbonate, styrene, polyimide,PEBAX, Hytrel, polyvinyl chloride, high-density polyethylene,low-density polyethylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), rubber, latex,and/or other suitable polymers known in the art. Other materials knownin the art of elastic implants can also be used. Metal materials caninclude, but are not limited to, nickel-titanium alloys (e.g. Nitinol),platinum, cobalt-chromium alloys, stainless steel, tungsten or titanium.In some embodiments, metal filaments may be highly polished and/orsurface treated to further improve their hemocompatibility. The cover200 can be constructed solely from metallic materials without theinclusion of any polymer materials, solely from polymer materialswithout the inclusion of any metallic materials, or a combination ofpolymer and metallic materials.

In some embodiments, some or all of the wires of the cover 200 aredrawn-filled tube (“DFT”) wires having a radiopaque core (e.g.,platinum, tantalum, gold, tungsten, etc.) surrounded by a superelasticmaterial (e.g., Nitinol, a cobalt-chromium alloy, etc.). The radiopaquecore may comprise about 5% to about 50% (e.g., 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%) of the total-cross-sectional area of the individualwires. In some embodiments, the cover 200 may have 72-144 total wires(e.g., 72, 96 128, 144, etc.) Moreover, some or all of the wires mayhave a wire diameter of about 0.005 inches to about 0.015 inches (e.g.,0.008 inches, 0.01 inches, etc.). In some embodiments, all of the wireshave the same diameter, and in other embodiments some of the wires havedifferent diameters.

FIGS. 2A-2G illustrate a method of removing clot material from the lumenof a blood vessel BV using the retrieval device 10 of the presenttechnology. As shown in FIG. 2A, a guidewire 1 may be advanced throughthe clot material CM such that a distal terminus of the guidewire 1 isdistal of the clot material CM. Next, a delivery catheter 2 may bedelivered over the guidewire 1 so that a distal portion of the deliverycatheter 2 is positioned at or near the clot material CM. As shown inFIG. 2B, in some embodiments the delivery catheter 2 may be advancedover the guidewire 1 through the clot material CM such that a distalterminus of the delivery catheter 2 is distal of the clot material CM.With the delivery catheter 2 in position, the guidewire 1 may bewithdrawn. The retrieval device 10 may then be advanced through thedelivery catheter 2 in a low-profile configuration until a distalterminus 101 of the capture structure 100 (shown schematically in FIG.2B) is at or adjacent the distal terminus of the delivery catheter 2. Asshown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the delivery catheter 2 may then be pulledproximally relative to the retrieval device 10 to release the capturestructure 100, thereby allowing the capture structure 100 to self-expandwithin the clot material CM. As the capture structure 100 expands, thecapture structure 100 engages and/or secures the surrounding clotmaterial CM, and in some embodiments may restore or improve blood flowthrough the clot material CM. In some embodiments, the capture structure100 may be expanded distal of the clot material CM such that no portionof the capture structure 100 is engaging the clot material CM while thecapture structure 100 is in the process of expanding toward the vesselwall. In some embodiments, the capture structure 100 is configured toexpand into contact with the blood vessel wall, or the capture structure100 may expand to a diameter that is less than that of the blood vessellumen such that the capture structure 100 does not engage the entirecircumference of the blood vessel wall.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the delivery catheter 2 may continue advancingproximally (as the user continues pulling it proximally) to release thecover 200 such that at least a portion of the cover wall 200 c expandsinto contact with the blood vessel wall when the cover 200 is in thefirst position. Once the delivery catheter 2 is moved proximal of thecover 200 in the first position and both the cover 200 and the capturestructure 100 are expanded within the vessel lumen, the retrievalassembly 14 is in the first configuration.

As shown in FIG. 2E, when the elongated shaft 12 is pulled proximallywhile the retrieval assembly 14 is in the first configuration, frictionbetween the blood vessel wall and the cover wall 200 c prevents orresists proximal movement of the free second end portion 200 b of thecover 200 while the first end portion 200 a of the cover 200 moves in aproximal direction with the capture structure 100. In other words,expansion of the cover 200 provides sufficient friction against thewalls of the vessel V to overcome the column strength of the cover wall200 c, thereby causing the cover wall 200 c to remain in place and/ormove less than the first end portion 200 a of the cover 200 so that thecover wall 200 c inverts over the capture structure 100 and anyassociated clot material CM. As the elongated shaft 12 is movedproximally and the cover 200 is inverting, the capture structure 100moves proximally relative to the leading edge 204 of the cover 200 sothat the length of the capture structure 100 coextensive with the cover200 increases. Eventually, the cover 200 completely inverts from thefirst position over the proximally advancing capture structure 100,thereby further securing any clot material held by or within the capturestructure. As shown in FIG. 2G, the retrieval device 10 may continueadvancing proximally (as the user continues pulling it proximally) untilthe retrieval assembly 14 is positioned within the delivery catheter 2.The delivery catheter 2, device 10, and associated clot material CM maythen be withdrawn from the patient.

In some instances, the physician (i.e., a “user”) using the retrievaldevice 10 may wish to re-use the retrieval device 10 after it has beendelivered within a vessel. For example, the user may wish to re-use theretrieval device 10 in a second attempt to remove clot material CM froma vessel. However, once the clot retrieval assembly 14 is retractedproximally within the delivery catheter 2 (e.g., to remove the clotmaterial CM), the cover 200 is in the second position (FIG. 1B). In someinstances, the physician can manipulate the cover 200 from the secondposition to the first position (FIG. 1A) simply using their fingers.However, the cover 200 may rip, tear, or snag on the capture structure100 when the physician attempts to move the cover 200 between the secondand first positions. Moreover, such a process can slow down the overallprocess of redeploying the clot retrieval assembly 14.

FIGS. 3A-5G show various embodiments of retractors in accordance withthe present technology for use with retrieval devices. The retractorsdiscussed below are described with reference to the retrieval device 10shown in FIGS. 1A-2G, but can be used in operation with any suitablecovered retrieval device. A retractor according to the presenttechnology is configured to move the cover 200 of retrieval device 10from the second position (FIG. 1B) to the first position (FIG. 1A). Asdescribed above, in the first position, the free second end portion 200b of the cover 200 is proximal of the first end portion 200 a and atleast a portion of the capture structure 100 is exposed such that thecover 200 does not surround the capture structure 100. In the secondposition, the cover 200 is inverted over the capture structure 100 suchthat the free second end portion 200 b of the cover 200 is distal offirst end portion 200 a and the cover 200 surrounds at least a portionof the capture structure 100. In some embodiments (e.g., as shown inFIG. 3B), the cover 200 can completely surround the capture structure100 in the second position such that the distal terminus (i.e., absoluteend) of the cover 200 is at or distal to the distal terminus 101 of thecapture structure 100.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a retractor 300 in accordance with someembodiments of the present technology. The retractor 300 has a tubularstructure 302 and a channel 304 extending longitudinally therethrough.Tubular structure 302 further includes a distal portion 312, a proximalportion 314, and an outside surface 316. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, thechannel 304 is configured to slidably receive the retrieval device 10.In particular, the channel 304 has a diameter that is sized to slidablyreceive the elongated shaft 12 and the retrieval assembly 14 such thatthe retrieval device 10 can be pulled proximally or pushed distallythrough the tubular structure 302. The outside surface 316 of thetubular structure 302 is configured to engage a portion of the cover 200for retracting the cover 200 proximally with respect to the retrievalassembly 14. As a result, the outside surface 316 can define a retentionsurface against which the cover 200 can be held.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the tubular structure 302 has a length L₁ extendingbetween the distal portion 312 and the proximal portion 314. The capturestructure 100 has a length L₂ measured along the same longitudinal axisas the length L₁. In some embodiments, the length L₁ of the tubularstructure 302 is less than the length L₂ of the capture structure 100.In such embodiments, the proximal portion 100 a of the capture structure100 may protrude proximally from the proximal portion 314 of the tubularstructure 302 when the retrieval assembly 14 is situated within thechannel 304. In some embodiments, the length L₁ of the tubular structure302 is greater than the length L₂ of the capture structure 100 such thatthe entire retrieval assembly 14, or the entire capture structure 100,may be contained within the tubular structure 302. However, the lengthL₁ of the tubular structure 302 is not more than twice the length L₂ ofthe capture structure 100.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the retractor 300includes a slot 308 extending through the tubular structure 302 andlongitudinally the entire length Li of the tubular structure 302. Morespecifically, the slot 308 can have edges 309 a and 309 b (collectively“edges 309”) that extend along the length of the tubular structure 302.The slot 308 further has a width W between the edges 309 that is atleast as great as an outer diameter of elongated shaft 12 such that theelongated shaft 12 can pass laterally through the slot 308 and into thechannel 304. In some embodiments, the edges 309 can have a generallyrounded or other shape without sharp or hard edges to avoid damaging theelongated shaft 12 when it passes through the slot 308. The slot 308allows the retrieval device 10 to be positioned within the channel 304without first threading the entire length of the elongated shaft 12through the channel 304 of the retractor 300. Instead, a distal portionof the elongated shaft 12 can be passed laterally through slot 308. Oncethe elongated shaft 12 is within the channel 304, the elongated shaft 12can then be pulled proximally, and/or the retractor 300 pushed distally,until the retrieval assembly 14 is positioned within the channel 304. Insome embodiments, the tubular structure 302 does not include any slotsand the channel 304 is fully enclosed.

The retractor 300 can further comprise a handle 306 extending from thetubular structure 302 and configured to be gripped by a user when theretractor 300 is used to move the cover 200 from the second position tothe first position. The handle 306 can be coupled to the tubularstructure 302 nearer to the proximal portion 314 of the tubularstructure 302 than the distal portion 312. In some embodiments, thehandle 306 has at least a generally planar shape and is coupled to thetubular structure 302 such that the handle 306 is perpendicular to aplane extending through the slot 308. In some embodiments, the handle306 is attached at a different portion of the tubular structure 302 andcan have a different shape or relative size. For example, the handle 306can be a ring or other open shape that a user can grip.

The retractor 300 can be made out of a plastic or other materials. Forexample, in some embodiments, the retractor 300 is formed fromhigh-density polyethylene (“HDPE”). Suitable materials can be injectionmolded, compression molded, or three-dimensionally printed into shape.Other well-known methods of manufacture can be used to form theretractor 300.

To move the cover 200 from the second position to the first position,the retrieval device 10 can be slidably disposed within the channel 304such that the distal terminus 101 of the capture structure 100 is withinchannel 304. The cover 200 can then be secured against the outsidesurface 316 while the capture structure 100 is advanced distally throughchannel 304 to expose the capture structure 100. One advantage of usingthe retractor 300 is that the rigid external structure of the tubularstructure 302 inhibits the cover 200 of the retrieval device fromsnagging on the capture structure 100 as the cover 200 moves from thesecond position to the first position. For example, without using theretractor 300, a user would need to grip either or both of the elongatedshaft 12 and retrieval assembly 14 while attempting to manipulate thecover 200 from the second position to the first position. In doing so,without using the retractor 300, the distal terminus 101 of the capturestructure 100 will frequently snag on the cover 200 when the cover 200is moved proximally. This can increase the time required to prepare theretrieval device 10 for redeployment, and potentially damage the cover200.

FIGS. 4A-4C show another embodiment of a retractor 400 configured inaccordance with the present technology. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate aretractor 400 that includes some features generally similar to thefeatures of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. For example,retractor 400 includes a tubular structure 402 defining a channel 404,and a first slot 408 extending through and along the entire length ofthe tubular structure 402. The retractor 400 further includes a stop 422having a slit 418 configured to receive the elongated shaft 12. The stop422 limits proximal movement of the retrieval assembly 14.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the slot 408 and the slit 418combine to form a contiguous opening through the tubular structure 402for receiving the elongated shaft 12. In some embodiments, the slit 418has other shapes or configurations. For example, the slit 418 can becurved, L-shaped, or otherwise shaped to contain the elongated shaft 12when it is moved through the stop 422.

FIG. 4C shows a side view of the proximal portion 414 of tubularstructure 402. The slit 418 has a width W₂ that is at least as great asan outer diameter of the elongated shaft 12. This assures that theelongated shaft 12 can slide both distally and proximally through theslit 418. However, the width W₂ is smaller than an outer diameter of theproximal portion 100 a of capture structure 100 and the connectionassembly 120. Because the slit 418 is not sized to slidably receiveeither the capture structure 100 or the connection assembly 120, thestop 422 inhibits proximal movement of the retrieval assembly 14 whenthe elongated shaft 12 is pulled proximally. In the illustratedembodiment, the width W₂ of the slit 418 is less than a width W₁ of theslot 408. In some embodiments, the slot 408 and the slit 418 can havethe same width, or the width W₂ of the slit 418 can be greater than thewidth W₁ of the slot 408.

The stop 422 defines a specific location within the retractor 400 forpositioning the retrieval device 10. For example, the stop 422 can belocated within the channel 404 such that when the retrieval assembly 14engages the stop 422, the distal terminus 101 of the capture structure100 is within the channel 404. The location of the stop 422 can alsoprevent the retrieval assembly 14 from being placed needlessly deep intothe channel 404 and/or from sliding in the proximal direction out of thechannel 404 during retraction of the cover 200. If placed too deep, moretime and motion are required for manipulating the cover 200 onto thetubular structure 402. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the stop 422 canbe located at a proximal portion 414 of the tubular structure 402. Insome embodiments, the stop 422 is located at a different position withinthe channel 404. For example, depending on the relative lengths of thecapture structure 100 and tubular structure 402, the stop 422 can bepositioned in a different location within the channel 404 (e.g., at acentral portion or a distal portion of the channel 404) to serve as alocating feature for positioning the retrieval assembly 14.

Several aspects of methods for using the retractor 300 shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B to transform the cover 200 from the second position to the firstposition are shown in FIGS. 5A-5G. Some differences for using theretractor 400 (FIGS. 4A-4C) are described below, however, it is to beunderstood that the following method could generally be performed usinga retractor according to any of the embodiments described herein.Moreover, in some figures, the user's fingers have been omitted so asnot to obscure other features. Accordingly, even if not illustrated, theuser may grip the handle 306 or other parts of the retractor 300 inorder to carry out any or all of the steps described with reference toFIGS. 5A-5G.

FIG. 5A illustrates the retrieval device 10 with the cover 200 in thesecond position and positioned partly within the channel 304 of theretractor 300. Before positioning the retrieval assembly 14 withinchannel 304, the elongated shaft 12 of the retrieval device 10 can bepositioned within channel 304 as illustrated in FIG. 3B. For example, adistal portion of the elongated shaft 12 just proximal of the retrievalassembly 14 can pass laterally through the slot 308 and into the channel304 of the tubular structure 302. The user can then pull proximally onthe elongated shaft 12 such that the retrieval assembly 14 slides intoand partly through the channel 304. More specifically, the user couldgrip the handle 306 with one hand while pulling proximally on theelongated shaft 12 to position the retrieval assembly 14 within thetubular structure 302. Alternatively or additionally, the retractor 300can slide distally over the retrieval device 10 and/or the user canpush/pull proximally on the retrieval assembly 14 to position theretrieval assembly 14 within the tubular structure 302 of the retractor300.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the retrieval device 10 is positioned withinthe retractor 300 such that the distal terminus 101 of the capturestructure 100 is within the channel 304. This prevents the cover 200from catching or snagging on the capture structure 100 when the cover200 is later manipulated onto the tubular structure 302. In contrast tothe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the user may need tovisualize when the distal terminus 101 is within the retractor 300without the stop 422 that locates the capture structure 100 at aspecific location within the retractor 300.

Still referring to FIG. 5B, after the retrieval device 10 is positionedwithin the channel 304, a distal portion 203 (including the second endportion 200 b) of the cover 200 extends distally from the distal portion312 of the tubular structure 302 and remains outside of the channel 304.The distal portion 203 of the cover 200 remains outside of the channel304 so that the cover 200 can later be manipulated onto the tubularstructure 302. In some embodiments, depending on the relative lengths ofthe tubular structure 302 and the capture structure 100, a proximalportion 100 a of the capture structure 100 may extend from the proximalportion 314 of the tubular structure 302 and outside of the channel 304.In some embodiments, such as the retractor 400, the capture structure100 is positioned such that it is fully within the channel 404. As such,both the proximal portion 100 a and the distal terminus 101 of thecapture structure 100 can be within the channel in such cases.

As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, once the retrieval device 10 is positionedwithin the retractor 300, the user can manipulate the distal portion 203of the cover 200 onto the outside surface 316 of tubular structure 302.More specifically, the user can peel back the distal portion 203 of thecover 200 and push it onto the distal portion 312 of tubular structure302 while the capture structure 100 is held stationary within thechannel 304. As illustrated, the distal portion 203 of the cover 200 canhave an end 217 that is everted relative to the rest of the cover 200 inthe second position. In one embodiment, only this end 217 is manipulatedonto the retractor 300. In some embodiments, the entire distal portion203 of the cover 200 can be positioned around the outside surface 316 ofthe retractor 300. For example, FIG. 5E shows an embodiment in which alarger portion of the cover 200 than simply the end 217 has beenmanipulated onto the tubular structure 302.

Next, the cover 200 is secured against the outside surface 316 of thetubular structure 302. For example, the user can squeeze the portion ofthe cover 200 that is over the tubular structure 302 to clamp the cover200 against the outside surface 316 of the tubular structure 302. Insome embodiments, the cover 200 can be secured against the outsidesurface 316 of the tubular structure 302 by other mechanisms, such as aclamp or tie fastened around the portion of the cover on the outsidesurface 316.

In a next step illustrated in FIG. 5E, the capture structure 100 isadvanced distally through the retractor 300 while the cover 200 ispressed against the outer surface 316 such that at least the distalterminus 101 of the capture structure 100 extends distally from thetubular structure 302. Importantly, the distal terminus 101 of thecapture structure 100 extends past the cover 200 such that the cover 200no longer surrounds at least a portion of the capture structure 100. Insome embodiments, the capture structure 100 is advanced distally throughthe channel 304 by applying a force in the distal direction to theelongated shaft 12 (indicated by arrow F in FIG. 5E) while the cover 200is pressed against the outer surface 316. In some embodiments, where theproximal portion 100 a of the capture structure 100 extends proximallyoutside the tubular structure 302, the capture structure 100 can beadvanced by applying a force in the distal direction to the proximalportion 100 a. For example, a user might push distally on the proximalportion 100 a when the elongated shaft 12 is not configured to transmitsufficient column force to advance the capture structure 100 outside theretractor 300.

As shown in FIG. 5F, the user can then grip an exposed portion of thecapture structure 100 and pull the capture structure 100 distally tofurther expose the capture structure 100 relative to the cover 200 andthe retractor 300. Thus, the capture structure 100 can be advancedthrough the channel 304 by any combination of pushing distally on theelongated shaft 12 and/or pushing distally on the proximal portion 100 aof the capture structure 100, and then by pulling distally on an exposeddistal portion of the capture structure 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 5G, the cover 200 can be released from theoutside surface 316 of the tubular structure 302 once the cover 200 isin the second position. In a final step, the retrieval device 10 isremoved from the retractor 300. For example, the elongated shaft 12 maybe removed from the channel 304 via the slot 308. The user can thenclean and prepare the retrieval device for re-use.

This disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the presenttechnology to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specificembodiments are disclosed herein for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible without deviating from the presenttechnology, as those of ordinary skill in the relevant art willrecognize. In some cases, well-known structures and functions have notbeen shown and/or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuringthe description of the embodiments of the present technology. Althoughsteps of methods may be presented herein in a particular order, inalternative embodiments the steps may have another suitable order.Similarly, certain aspects of the present technology disclosed in thecontext of particular embodiments can be combined or eliminated in otherembodiments. Furthermore, while advantages associated with someembodiments may have been disclosed in the context of those embodiments,other embodiments can also exhibit such advantages, and not allembodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages or other advantagesdisclosed herein to fall within the scope of the present technology.Accordingly, this disclosure and associated technology can encompassother embodiments not expressly shown and/or described herein.

Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Similarly, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only asingle item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of twoor more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpretedas including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items inthe list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally,the terms “comprising” and the like are used throughout this disclosureto mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greaternumber of the same feature(s) and/or one or more additional types offeatures are not precluded. Reference herein to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar formulations means that a particular feature,structure, operation, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the presenttechnology. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or formulations hereinare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore,various particular features, structures, operations, or characteristicsmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

I/we claim:
 1. A method comprising: positioning at least a portion of aretrieval assembly of a retrieval device within a channel defined by aretractor such that least a distal terminus of a capture structure ofthe retrieval assembly is within the channel, wherein the retrievalassembly is coupled to an elongated shaft, and wherein the retrievalassembly is in a deployed configuration in which a cover of theretrieval assembly extends distally relative to the capture structureand surrounds at least a portion of the capture structure; securing partof the cover against an outer surface of the retractor; and whilesecuring the part of the cover, advancing the retrieval assemblydistally through the channel such that at least the distal terminus ofthe capture structure extends distally from the retractor and the cover.2. The method of claim 1 wherein securing comprises securing the part ofthe cover against an outer surface of the retractor.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 wherein securing comprises securing the part of the coveragainst an outer surface of the retractor while another part of thecover is located in the channel, between an outer surface of the capturestructure and an inner wall of the channel.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: removing the retrieval assembly from the retractorwhen the retrieval assembly is in a delivery position in which the coverextends proximally relative to the capture structure.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: manipulating a distal portion of the coveronto the retractor, wherein manipulating the cover includes everting aportion of the cover.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein advancing theretrieval assembly further includes exposing a distal portion of thecapture structure and advancing the retrieval assembly distally bypulling distally on the exposed portion of the capture structure.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein advancing the retrieval assembly includespushing the elongated shaft distally and/or pushing the retrievalassembly distally.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: beforepositioning the portion of the retrieval assembly, positioning theelongated shaft within the channel of the retractor.
 9. The method ofclause 8 wherein positioning the portion of the retrieval assemblyfurther includes pulling the elongated shaft proximally such that theretrieval assembly slides through the channel until the distal terminusof the capture structure is within the channel.